Kupang - PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry Branch Kupang temporarily stopped operations on a number of shipping routes in the NTT region, due to bad weather in the waters.
Manager of Business PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry Branch Kupang, Ramlan Iyang in Kupang, Monday said the closure was valid from Monday to Thursday (5/3).
"Yes, that's right. Several of our shipping routes are closed due to bad weather, starting today until Thursday," he said, quoted by Antara.
A number of shipping routes that were closed included the Kupang-Larantuka, Kupang Lembata, Kupang-Kalabahi, and Kupang-Rote service routes.
A number of the shipping routes are long and distant shipping routes and pass through waters with high waves.
Meanwhile, the Kupang-Hansisi (Semau island) service route is still open because the sailing route is short and not too affected by bad weather such as high waves.
He added that the Kupang Class III City Government has also issued a circular in the form of an appeal with the number UM.006/114/KSOP Kupang-2026.
The letter was addressed to all ship operators, all captains, passengers, and ships, with the content asking that they postpone sailing or traveling by ship, a few days in advance while monitoring the weather.
Meanwhile, the captain and operator of large ships who are safe enough to sail are urged to continue to ensure that the ship that will depart has met the requirements by attaching a captain's statement.
As well as ensuring monitoring of weather conditions at least six hours before the application for the issuance of a sailing approval letter (SPB).
Then, ensure that safety equipment is always available and installed in good condition and sufficient passenger capacity.
Previously, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) urged the public to be aware of sea waves with a height of up to four meters in the waters of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) during the period Monday to Thursday (5/3).
The head of the Tenau Kupang Maritime Meteorological Station, Yandri Anderudson Tungga in Kupang, NTT, Monday, said the height of the sea waves should be watched by shipping logistics and fishermen to minimize the risk of marine accidents.
He explained that waves as high as 2.5-4.0 meters could occur in the southern Sape Strait, the southern waters of Flores, the southern waters of Alor-Pantar, the western Sumba Strait of Sawu Sea, the Ombai Strait, the southern waters of Sumba, and the northern waters of Sabu-Raijua.
In addition, the waters south of Sabu-Raijua, the waters north of Timor, the waters north of Kupang-Rote, and the waters south of Timor-Rote.
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